How to Tie a Vintage Hair Scarf in 7 Different Ways
If you love scarves as much as I do, then you will want to see this tutorial to learn how to tie vintage hair scarves. There are seven different ways to wear your vintage head scarf here, so let’s get started on our trip back to the 1940s, 50s, and 60s!
Tools and materials:
- Assorted hair scarfs
- Bobby pins
1. Classic headband
Fold a 22 x 22-inch scarf in half diagonally. Bring the corner back up to the long edge.
Tip: when you are making the first fold, fold in the corner that has the tag and fold it just a bit shorter than the other side. That will hide the tag.
Fold the shorter straight edge into the middle and then fold it over a second time.
Put the folded scarf behind your head, under your hair, and bring it up behind your ears to the top of your head.
Knot the scarf and position the knot to one side of your head. Pin the knot to your hair on both sides of the knot to keep it in place.
Now you can tie a second knot and tuck the ends into the scarf.
Or you could tie it in a bow. Fluff out the bows a bit after tying.
Tip: to keep your bow tight, pull gently on the loose ends and then pull tightly on the bow.
2. 60s headband
Fold a 28 x 28-inch scarf in half diagonally. Fold in the bottom about a quarter of the way, fold it in half twice, and then fold it one more time – that’s a total of four folds on the triangle.
Put your scarf on the top of your head and wrap it behind and under your hair. Position the scarf so that it can be tied at the side of your head and use two crisscrossed bobby pins to hold it in place on the side opposite where you will tie it.
Tip: if you can get bobby pins that match your scarf, then they will be well camouflaged.
Now, pin the scarf behind your ear on the tying side, and then tie the scarf in a double knot behind your ear.
Here's the finished look!
3. Kerchief
Fold a 22 x 22-inch scarf diagonally and lay the scarf on top of your head.
Tie the scarf under your chin, off to one side. If you have a big flower or some other adornment, don’t be shy about adding it to this look.
This is the classic 50s "I don't want my hair to fly away" style!
4. Modified Rosie the Riveter
Fold a 22 x 22-inch scarf in half diagonally. Then fold up the corner end twice. That gives you a wider band than you had with previous styles.
Wrap your scarf around your head starting at the back base of your hair and tying it with a single knot slightly off-center at the top of your head.
Tuck in and pin any loose edges of the scarf. Then tie a second knot in your scarf.
Here's the look! I love the Rosie the Riveter style, but this way of doing it ensures there's a gap at the top, so it's not like your whole head is covered by the scarf.
5. Classic Rosie the Riveter
Fold in one corner of a 22 x 22-inch scarf about a quarter of the way.
Place the folded edge at the nape of your neck.
Now bring the ends of the scarf to the top of your head, over the front point, and make one knot. Adjust the scarf to tuck in any loose edges and use crisscrossed bobby pins as necessary to hold it in place.
Bring the front point of the scarf back over the top of your head and tuck it under the tied part.
Knot the ends one more time.
This is the classic Rosie the Riveter look!
6. Undercover starlet
Drape a 13 x 40-inch rectangular scarf over your hair. Cross it in front and then flip the crossed ends to your back. Pin it at the top front to hold it in place. Now you can go out in pin-curls, and no one will know!
This style of wearing a headscarf is very reminiscent of old Hollywood glamor.
7. Classic neck scarf
OK, this isn’t technically for your hair, but it’s still super fun and an iconic 1950s look. Fold a scarf in half diagonally, and then fold the pointed end in half twice so you have a rectangle.
Wrap the scarf around your neck, tie it twice at the side of your neck and fluff it up a bit to loosen it.
How to tie vintage hair scarf
I hope you enjoyed this trip back in time trying out these vintage hair scarf styles. Leave me a comment to let me know which one was your favorite. Thanks for joining!
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Glad some one loves scarves like me. I have about thirty.scarves. I wear on everyday in the classic or boho styles. I even have a Pinterest headband board!! Love your hair color and vintage hair style. This real made the headbands more elegant. Thanks sharng!😇
Hi, the undercover starlet one you have to tie in the back after crossing in the front for another look. Also there is another look which I guess can be called the faux headband. Take a kerchief that is, or make into a triangle. Place on top of head with the point in back and the long side or folded side at the hairline. Pull the tails to the back and tie, NOT catching the point of the triangle. 🙃